Local group of Glossy Black-Cockatoos now six strong!

Every now and then over the last few years, I’ve seen a group of Glossy Black-Cockatoos on the banks of Manly Dam. They have a few favourite spots, always where the Casuarina trees are in seed.

For the first couple of years, there were always three birds in the group. I don’t know if they were the same birds each time. Then suddenly there were five. And yesterday, for the first time, there were six. Glossies are rare compared to the other types of cockatoos in our area (Sulphur-crested, Yellow-tailed Black, and Corellas), so it’s wonderful to see this group growing in size.

https://youtu.be/NQx4koYy_yM

Yesterday was a muggy, grey day. My camera kept misting up due to the high humidity. Every now and then the mist turned to light, drifting rain that settled into blotches on the lens. Still, the video gives you and idea of the gentle, calm presence of these large birds.

Glossies are a type of parrot. In Australia we have 56 species of parrots, including cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, ringnecks and budgerigars. Check out my previous sightings of Glossy Black-Cockatoos.

Common name: Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Scientific name: Calyptorhynchus lathami
Approximate length: 50cm
Date spotted: 19 March 2026 (autumn)
Location: Manly Dam Park, near Sydney: 33°46’23.8″S 151°14’39.5″E

Olive-backed Oriole calling and mimicking other birds

I listened to this Olive-backed Oriole for a while, trilling its characteristic call interspersed with imitations of other birds. I managed to get part of its performance on video. As well as being pretty and having a lovely song, this Oriole is an excellent mimic.

At the start of the video, the Oriole reacts to the shriek of Masked Lapwings (also known as Spur-winged Plovers). After a couple of seconds, the Oriole starts its own performance again.

https://youtu.be/2fmOwY53qoQ

Common name: Olive-backed Oriole
Scientific name: Oriolus sagittatus
Approximate length: 25-28 cm
Date spotted: 17 March 2026 (autumn)
Location: Manly Dam Park, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’31.7″S 151°14’47.8″E

The Sandhill Cranes bugling calls were awesome. SACR 2/2

#MarshMadness #birds #birding #BirdCalls #nature #NaturePhotography #SolaceInNature

Our first and closest sighting of Sandhill Cranes taken several years ago when a pair visited a wetland marsh in our area far from their normal range. We approached the secluded area quietly and crouched in a thicket of bushes and trees to ensure we didn’t disturb them. SACR 1/2

#MarshMadness #birds #birding #BirdCalls #nature #NaturePhotography #SolaceInNature

Tongue of the White-cheeked Honeyeater

A White-cheeked Honeyeater feeds off the flower of a Banksia bush. At 19 to 24 seconds into the video, you can see the bird’s long, thin, white tongue flicking quickly in and out of its beak. The bird chirps every now and then, no doubt commenting about me to the other birds in the area.

https://youtu.be/pqREdfG-8jk

Like most honeyeaters, these birds feed on nectar from flowers and also will snap up a handy insect every now and then. Their tongues are long enough to stick out beyond the end of their beaks, making it easier to lap up nectar from a flower.

Common name: White-cheeked Honeyeater
Scientific name: Phylidonyris nigra
Approximate length: 16-19 cm
Date spotted: 25 February 2025 (summer)
Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’28.7″S 151°14’46.3″E

Get to know the #startup Hula Earth, which uses #satellitedata and #birdcalls to determine #biodiversity. More than 80 small high-tech boxes are installed in the outdoors, collecting data and transmitting it to the company headquarters: http://go.tum.de/230329

📷A. Heddergott

Golden Whistler calling – a short video

This morning, a Golden Whistler stayed in one spot for long enough for me to get out my camera and record a few seconds of his song. So, for your enjoyment, here it is!

https://youtu.be/2JvVLFxrqN0

Golden Whistlers are small birds, about the size of a wren. They have a black head and a white bib, and the golden chest, underbelly, and collar that give them the first part of their name. The second part of the name comes from their lovely whistling calls. I’ve published more videos and pictures of previous sightings.

Common name: Golden Whistler
Scientific name: Pachycephala pectoralis
Approximate length: 16-18 cm
Date spotted: 3 December 2025 (summer)
Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’45.0″S 151°14’54.2″E

#australia #birdCalls #birds #birdsong #birdwatching #goldenWhistler #sydneyBirds

It’s a quiet evening. Then I start hearing this bird calling.

Didn’t think much of it initially; I heard it throughout my childhood in Singapore… until something in my brain clicks and I’m like, “Hang on, a Pacific Koel? Here in Geelong?!”

It's not supposed to be in Victoria? Maybe other southeast Australian birdwatchers already know this but it’s news to me! I documented the call with Merlin Bird ID.

Have a listen, it's a lovely call.

#BirdWatching #BirdCalls #AustralianWildlife